Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Highlights Tourism’s Role in India’s Future Development
New Delhi, August 31: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, emphasized the importance of tourism in India’s journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum, he stated, “By 2047 when India becomes developed, one of the big drivers of developed India (Viksit Bhaarat) will be the tourism sector.”
Shekhawat highlighted India’s rapid progress over the past decade, crediting strategic reforms and infrastructure advancements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said, “The way India has developed its infrastructure, established new benchmarks across various sectors, and embraced cutting-edge technologies has transformed the global perspective towards our nation. Today, India is recognized as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.”
He also mentioned Moody’s recent rating as a testament to India’s positive economic trajectory. Shekhawat pointed out the massive scale of infrastructure development, including the construction of over 1,50,000 kilometers of highways, the electrification of the entire rail network, and the introduction of advanced train systems like Vande Bharat.
While India’s tourism sector currently contributes 7.9% to the global economy, below the global average of 10.4%, Shekhawat sees significant potential for growth. He noted that inbound tourists are concentrated in just seven states, from Rajasthan to Delhi, and emphasized tourism’s role in India’s development by 2047.
Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, echoed Shekhawat’s sentiments, highlighting India’s growing global economic presence and the need for further development in tourism. He noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, inbound tourism has seen significant recovery, with 2023 showing a 300% growth over 2022.
Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), emphasized the relationship between infrastructure growth and the hospitality sector, stating, “Single biggest beneficiary of the growth of infrastructure is Hospitality. When hospitality grows, it creates a lot of jobs. It is the biggest multiplicator of jobs in the world.”
Sandeep Ghosh, Group Country Manager for India and South Asia at VISA, discussed emerging trends in health and wellness tourism, highlighting the potential of the Ayush initiative. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Promoter of HRH Group of Hotels, praised the global recognition of Indian heritage hospitality, particularly by Tata and the Taj Group of Hotels.
Doubts Revealed
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat -: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is a politician in India. He is the Minister of Tourism and Culture, which means he helps take care of places people visit and India’s traditions.
Tourism -: Tourism is when people travel to different places for fun, to see new things, or to learn about different cultures.
2047 -: 2047 is a year in the future. It is important because it will be 100 years since India became independent in 1947.
ET World Leaders Forum -: The ET World Leaders Forum is a big meeting where important people from around the world talk about how to make things better in different countries.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure means the basic things a country needs to work well, like roads, bridges, and buildings.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the country and makes important decisions.
Rajesh Magow -: Rajesh Magow is a business leader in India. He is known for his work in the travel industry.
Puneet Chhatwal -: Puneet Chhatwal is another business leader. He works in the hotel industry, helping to manage big hotels.
Sandeep Ghosh -: Sandeep Ghosh is a professional who works in the financial sector, helping to manage money and investments.
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar -: Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar is a member of a royal family in India. He is involved in promoting tourism and culture.
Hospitality -: Hospitality means taking care of guests and making them feel welcome, like in hotels and restaurants.
Health and wellness sectors -: Health and wellness sectors are parts of the economy that focus on keeping people healthy and feeling good, like hospitals, gyms, and spas.